Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport who presented the Environment and Transport Capital Programme and Works Programme for 2026/27. A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item ‘9’ is filed with these minutes.

Arising from the discussion, the following points were made:

(i)      It was reported that the Government had for the first time provided multi-year funding, enabling the Department to undertake longer-term planning for capital schemes and more efficient procurement. It was noted, however, that wider local government finances remained challenging, with increased demands on services. Growth in population, housing and employment continued to place additional pressure on the highway network, while weather related impacts such as more regular and more severe flooding, were contributing to further deterioration of highways assets.

(ii)    In response to a Member query on how the Authority planned to manage increased network demand anticipated by population growth, the Director explained that work was underway through regional planning processes, including future infrastructure planning, public transport strategy development and ongoing collaboration with partner authorities. It was highlighted that any large‑scale schemes would require significant investment, far above current funding levels.

(iii)   Some Members raised concerns about the extent of Member involvement in selecting projects and the transparency of schemes not taken forward and the reasons for this. Officers highlighted that schemes were prioritised in line with adopted policies, using evidence, including safety data, flooding impacts and feasibility. Members were assured that flooding schemes were assessed based on severity and property impacts, with internal property flooding given top priority. It was suggested that there were some locations which were prone to river flooding and these were usually expensive engineering projects and that schemes not progressed were usually communicated locally but not shared more widely. The Director undertook to give this further consideration with a view to providing more information to the Committee at a future meeting.

(iv)   Members were assured that the Local Transport Delivery Plan submitted to the Government had input from the relevant portfolio leads. Due to tight deadlines and late Government guidance, it was difficult to bring this to the Committee but there would be a further final submission of the Plan in September that would allow for Member changes.

(v)    A Member sought clarification regarding the replacement of the Melton Highways Depot and the potential relocation of the waste site. The Director provided assurance that work was progressing on a search for a new depot due to the significant operational needs in the area. Feasibility work for relocating the waste site was being considered and the Department was investigating the opportunity to merge the two existing facilities with the potential for funding through a future capital funding bid.

(vi)   It was highlighted that pothole reports had risen to more than three times the previous winter’s highest monthly volume. Temporary repairs were being used to keep up with demand. Members were assured that the temporary repairs would be followed with permanent repairs as part of a schedule of works.

(vii)  A Member raised a query about progressing the southern link of the Melton Mowbray Distributor Road. It was confirmed that the link remained part of the Council’s longterm strategy, with work continuing with the planning authority and developers as part of the Local Plan with an emphasis on developer led delivery  and that potential future funding opportunities were being explored.

(viii)       It was suggested that although the Authority monitored innovation, it had limited capacity for investing in unproven technologies and that national legislation for autonomous vehicles was lacking. Bus services were operated commercially, and technology adoption would be led by operators. 

RESOLVED:

a)    That the report be noted.

b)    That Officers be requested to explore criteria for providing greater visibility of schemes not considered.